Game guide · PYZSB
Learn the rules of Kakurasu
Check the rule below as you play. Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the goal in mind before your next move. A 5×5 grid shows target sums at the right and bottom. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
Generated 5×5 puzzles with an exact row-mask search for uniqueness before publication to the board. No calibrated difficulty labels.
One thing to notice as you play
Take a moment to check the current turn. Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals. Start a new round when you are ready to try again.
The goal to keep in mind
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the goal in mind before your next move.
The steps to play
- A 5×5 grid shows target sums at the right and bottom.
- A marked cell contributes its column number to its row sum, and its row number to its column sum.
- Tap cells to mark or clear them. Current totals are displayed alongside the target totals.
- Match all rows and columns to complete the puzzle. Each generated puzzle is checked to have one solution.
Keyboard and screen controls
Check the rule below as you play. Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Learn from a sample situation
Begin with the basic rule, then follow the result of your action. Marking columns 2 and 5 in the same row gives that row a total of 7. A mark in row 3 contributes 3 to its column.
Avoid this misunderstanding
Read the position before choosing your next action. The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. The game area remains available above the explanation.
Common questions
For this game, what is the aim of Kakurasu?
Mark cells so every weighted row total and column total matches its clue. Keep the current game state in view while applying this rule.
When I start, how do the controls work?
Tap a square to mark or clear it. Undo restores the last state. New puzzle generates another checked board. You can start a new round from the game controls.
Can you show an example?
Marking columns 2 and 5 in the same row gives that row a total of 7. A mark in row 3 contributes 3 to its column. The instructions above use these same rules.
For this game, which mistake should I avoid?
The value is the position in the row or column, not a uniform count of marked squares. A new round resets the current game.
On this page, what rules and limits are used here?
Generated 5×5 puzzles with an exact row-mask search for uniqueness before publication to the board. No calibrated difficulty labels. The controls work with mouse or touch.
On this page, how many people can play here?
Solo. This is local browser play, not internet matchmaking. You can start a new round from the game controls.
On this page, what does a marked square contribute?
Its column number to the row total, and its row number to the column total. The controls work with mouse or touch.
When I start, why can row and column contributions differ?
A square in row 2, column 5 contributes 5 to its row and 2 to its column. The game is played locally in your browser.
Does each generated puzzle have one solution?
The generator searches the row-mask combinations and only accepts a puzzle with exactly one solution. You can start a new round from the game controls.
During a round, can I clear a square?
Yes. Tap a marked square again, or use Undo. The worked example offers another way to follow the rule.